The charming Italian-American whose name became synonymous with mellow performed through seven decades, starting in the 1930s. His idol, the late singer Bing Crosby, once called Como "the man who invented casual."

Como left his job as a steel town barber to sing with big bands in the 1930s and his songs were a mainstay of radio and jukeboxes in the late 1940s. He helped pioneer variety shows on the new medium of television in the 1950s and performed on television specials over the last four decades. His music remained popular on radio.

Perry Como is seen in this 1957 handout file photo. Como, the crooning baritone barber famous for his relaxed vocals, cardigan sweaters and television Christmas specials, died at his

home Saturday, May 12, 2001, after a lengthy illness. He was 87.

Associated Press Photo

In 1945, Como had his first million-selling hit, "Till the End of Time." It was among many songs including "Prisoner of Love" that topped the charts. He competed with Frank Sinatra and Crosby to be the era's top crooner.

While Como emulated Crosby in his early years, some of his best-known numbers were light novelty songs like "Hot Diggity" and "Papa Loves Mambo." He made a brief foray into wartime movie musicals in Hollywood, but decided to pursue a career in radio.

Como often said he far preferred singing romantic ballads to some of the lightweight numbers, but the novelty songs were a frequent audience request.

"They get tired of hearing 'Melancholy Baby' and those mushy things," Como said in a 1994 interview. "But those are the songs that, as a singer, you love to sing."

Will Friedwald, author of "Jazz Singing" and an expert of music from Como's era, once called Como "a marvelous singer" who "seemed to do everything they put in front of him."

Como made his television debut in 1948 on NBC's "The Chesterfield Supper Club" and in 1950 he switched to CBS for "The Perry Como Show," which ran for five years. Como then returned to NBC for a variety show that ran for eight years.

In 1963, he gave up the regular television show and began doing occasional specials. Rock 'n' roll had crowded out the crooners who once charmed hordes of screaming bobby-soxers.

His career saw a resurgence in the 1970s with songs like "It's Impossible," "And I Love You So" and several best-selling Christmas albums. In 1987, President Reagan presented Como with a Kennedy Center award for outstanding achievement in the performing arts.